On the bench in front of the fashion clothing store, Damian and Serena sat and talked while drinking their juice.
Serena really liked this relaxed atmosphere. Damian was clearly a very important person, but he didn't act arrogant at all.
He treated her as an equal. Also, she had to admit, Damian was truly very handsome.
The people walking by would subconsciously look at him twice. The surprised and admiring looks from the passing girls made Serena feel much better.
Well, even though she knew that she and Damian were just normal friends, people looking at them from the outside wouldn't think that way.
"Let me think. Where should I start?"
Damian took a sip of his watermelon juice while organizing his words.
"First, if you join Team Rocket, you can receive a monthly salary that matches your status. Every member gets this. You can think of it as a wage."
"The specific salary level will be divided based on your strength and ability. Just like you, Serena."
"If you are willing to join Team Rocket, I can directly give you the position of High Executive. This is a high-level management position within Team Rocket. You can receive 100,000 from Team Rocket every month as your basic salary."
"That much?"
Serena's big eyes widened slightly. She could get 100,000 every month???
Heavens! How many pocket-money battles against other trainers would she have to win to reach that amount?
A single Ultra Ball only cost 1,200!
No wonder Caitlin and Platinum were so rich.
"A lot? Actually, it's not much, Serena. You have to know that capable people never worry about money. It's just a matter of how much."
Damian couldn't help but laugh. In the end, she was still a young girl.
"To people like us, money is just a number. After you have been in Team Rocket for a while, you will understand."
Serena bit her lip. Was that how it was?
"To be honest, I am very confident in your potential. I believe your future achievements will definitely not be worse than Platinum's or Caitlin's."
Damian looked at Serena. If he could use money to keep Serena, he would not hesitate to spend it at all.
But Damian knew very well that this was an unrealistic idea.
For Serena, she definitely valued other things more.
"I still have a big gap between me and Platinum's group," Serena said, feeling a bit embarrassed for once.
Of course, this wasn't just being humble. She had just been defeated by Platinum yesterday, and it was a total loss.
As for Caitlin...
Well, Platinum had mentioned it to her last night. Caitlin's strength was at the Champion level, specializing in Psychic-types. Her strength was already clear to see.
"Don't be discouraged, Serena. Your potential is not lower than theirs. You just need a better environment to help you improve faster."
"And that is the second point I want to tell you."
Damian smiled slightly and continued to speak.
"Serena, what is your dream?"
"My dream... my current goal is to win the Lumiose Conference."
"And then?" Damian asked further.
"If possible, I also want to challenge the Elite Four and Diantha to become the Champion of the Kalos region."
"That is a very ambitious thought. Aiming for the regional Champion title in your first year of traveling. I support that," Damian praised her.
Serena bit her lip, her big eyes reflecting Damian's face.
If she said those words to anyone else, she would probably only get some jokes or simple words of encouragement in return.
In the end, they just didn't believe a rookie who had just started her journey could defeat Diantha.
But why not?
Serena was not happy about that attitude. Why would people think she couldn't do it before she even tried?
However, it wasn't surprising. That was just the narrow thinking of ordinary people.
The regional Champion represented the title of the strongest person in that region. Only the strongest trainer in a region was the Champion.
And the strongest person on this land of Kalos right now was Diantha.
Serena was just a rookie who had just received her Pokémon and started traveling. Normal people would naturally think it was impossible for her to do it.
"With your talent and rate of improvement, I believe you can defeat Diantha by the end of the year," Damian smiled.
In Damian's view, Diantha, Wallace, and Alder were the "floor-level" weakest of all the regional Champions.
Alder was weak because he had lost his spirit after his ace died years ago. Wallace was weak because Water-type teams were hard to use on official battlefields, and his main team was weak itself.
As for Diantha, there wasn't much to say. She was simply not that strong.
"Really? Do you really think so, Damian?"
Serena's eyes lit up, looking quite surprised and happy.
"Yes. After all, you are almost entering the Champion level now, aren't you?" Damian noticed the girl's happy mood and nodded with a smile.
Serena bit her lip. A very bright smile appeared on her face.
Even Damian thought Serena looked very good when she smiled.
Well, it had to be said that Serena was truly very pretty, especially since she loved fashion and knew how to dress herself up.
Also, her figure was one of the best among many of the game's female protagonists.
"But I must tell you, Serena, even if you become a Champion, you have definitely not reached the peak. This world is really, really big. There are countless strong people."
"And how should I put it? Our generation might truly be entering a brand-new era. There are just too many geniuses in this era."
Damian let out a soft sigh.
"In other regions?" Serena asked curiously.
"Yes, Serena. You should be able to sense it yourself. You are actually a genius. You could say you are a rare trainer genius, right?"
"..."
Serena felt a bit embarrassed and brushed aside the blonde hair by her ear. Indeed, many people had been amazed by her talent.
They had all praised her. Some Gym Leaders even said she was the future of Kalos and things like that.
But...
Well, Platinum's battle yesterday had woken her up.
"But you might not believe it, but in reality, trainers with the same talent as you are appearing constantly in every region."
Serena was stunned.
"You've already seen the one from the Sinnoh region, which is Platinum. There are at least four in Kanto, one in Hoenn, two or three in Unova, one or two in Alola, and two in Paldea."
"As for Galar, I haven't seen them yet, but I think there should be one or two there as well," Damian said with certainty.
He hadn't been to Paldea and Galar yet, but Nemona was definitely one of them, and Penny was likely there too.
As for Galar, there were actually many genius boys and girls.
Not to mention Gloria, who was the protagonist. Gloria's rivals were also not simple characters. There was Leon's younger brother, Hop. There was Bede, the boy raised and trained by Chairman Rose. And there was Marnie, the younger sister of the Spikemuth Gym Leader, Piers.
It could be said that all three of these rivals had the potential to be Champions. Especially Hop. As the human partner chosen by one of the legendary wolves in the late game, even though he lost constantly in the early and middle stages, he was truly a late bloomer.
He could be considered the strongest one of the three rivals in the end.
"That... many?"
Serena was shocked. She spoke subconsciously in a whisper.
She originally thought she was special... but now it seemed she wasn't particularly special.
Those Gym Leaders along the way and Diantha were all liars!!
They said she was a rare genius. It turned out that kind of talent existed in every region. Especially Kanto... four? At least?
"So, even if you become a regional Champion, your career as a trainer has only just officially started. After all, you will always want to go to the world stage in the future, right?"
"This is actually the best era!"
"Serena, don't you think so?"
Damian tilted his head slightly. His palm was gently rubbing Jirachi's little belly.
That's right. In Damian's view, an era where many flowers bloomed together like this was the best.
After all, if the path to becoming the strongest didn't have some powerful people blocking the way, it would be a bit boring in the end.
"Yes! This is... what I expect!"
Hearing this, a strong fire seemed to light up in Serena's eyes. Damian was right.
Even if every region had those geniuses, so what?
It was because of their existence that the title of "strongest" was worth fighting for!
"Very good. You've got spirit."
Damian nodded with satisfaction.
"Then let me explain. Serena, do you know where the gap between you and Platinum is shown right now?"
"The environment you are in is not enough to help you improve faster!" Damian said, getting straight to the point.
"Environment?" Serena seemed to understand a bit.
"Yes. You need a better environment. You need more opponents, and you need better resources."
"And Team Rocket can provide these to you." Damian smiled.
Serena thought for a while.
"A trainer can get stronger through hidden special training, but that rate of improvement will definitely not satisfy you, Serena."
"Using actual combat can better stimulate you and your main team. Destroying villain teams and their powerful trainers can give you a lot of experience. Also, Team Rocket has many Champion-level trainers and Elite Four-level High Executives. You can spar and train with them."
"Regarding team building and tactical design, you can also discuss and train with them to improve together. As for the resources needed for your Pokémon to get stronger, you can also apply for them in Team Rocket."
What Damian said undoubtedly made Serena's heart move.
She now roughly understood what Platinum meant when she said Damian helped her get stronger.
Oh my god!
Instruction from famous teachers, sparring with strong people, sharpening through actual combat, and even discussions on team building and tactical design, plus various resources provided by Team Rocket.
Holy crap! No wonder Platinum was so much stronger than her. If she worked alone, she couldn't compare even if she trained to death.
"In addition, for an excellent trainer like you, as long as you join Team Rocket, I can freely give you an Ultra Beast with excellent talent and potential."
"An Ultra Beast?!"
Serena immediately remembered Platinum's incredibly strong Pheromosa from yesterday. She would get one just for joining???
"Finally, Team Rocket itself has two huge private properties. There are many excellent Pokémon being raised inside, including Legendary Pokémon. You can get a chance to catch them by exchanging merit points."
Damian took out his phone and opened the Pokémon exchange page on the app.
Zapdos, Landorus, Thundurus, and so on.
Serena's breathing couldn't help but speed up.
"Serena, I can tell you that Platinum was far from using her full strength yesterday. She still has an Entei in her main team."
"So, if you want to defeat Platinum, you must have a stronger main team. Your lineup must be improved."
Damian's words weren't exactly bait. To be honest, with Serena's current main team...
Even if she worked hard for another ten years, she could not defeat Platinum.
After all, "effort" was relative. While Serena was working hard, would Platinum just stand still? It was impossible.
Without improving her team, Serena would never be able to defeat Platinum in her life.
Entei...
Serena fell silent. Entei, one of the Legendary Beasts tied to Ho-Oh. Platinum actually caught one?
But seeing those Pokémon on Team Rocket's exchange page, Serena suddenly wasn't surprised anymore.
"Then I will ask you now, Serena. Are you willing to join Team Rocket?"
"I am!"
The girl from Vaniville Town did not hesitate at all!
Team Rocket was the best place for her to belong!
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